Cliff moved to Kingston in 1962. After he released two singles that failed to make much of an impression, his career took off when his "Hurricane Hattie" became a hit, while he was aged just 14; it was produced by Leslie Kong, with whom Cliff would remain until Kong's death. Later local hit singles included "King of Kings", "Dearest Beverley" and "Pride and Passion". In 1964, Cliff was chosen as one of the Jamaican representatives at the World's Fair, and Cliff soon signed to Island Records and moved to Britain. Island initially (and unsuccessfully) tried to sell Cliff to the rock audience, but his career took off in the late 1960s. His international debut album was Hard Road to Travel, which received excellent reviews and included "Waterfall", a Brazilian hit that won the International Song Festival.
"Waterfall" was followed in 1969 by "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and "Vietnam" in 1970, both popular throughout most of the world. Folk rock singer-songwriter Bob Dylan even called "Vietnam" the best protest song he'd ever heard. Wonderful World included a cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World", which was a success in 1970.
Leslie Kong died of a heart attack in 1971. The soundtrack to the reggae film The Harder They Come was a huge success that sold well across the world, but did not break Cliff into the mainstream. After a series of albums, Cliff took a break and traveled to Africa, exploring his newfound Muslim spirituality. He quickly returned to music, touring for several years before he recorded with Kool & the Gang for Power & the Glory (1983). (During the 1981 River Tour, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band added Cliff's little-known "Trapped" to their live set; it achieved great prominence when included on 1985's We Are the World benefit album.) The follow-up, Cliff Hanger (1985) won a Grammy Award, though it was his last major success in the U.S. until 1993. He continued to sell well in Jamaica and, to a lesser extent, the UK, returning to the mainstream pop charts in the U.S. and elsewhere with a version of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" on the Cool Runnings film soundtrack in 1993 .
In 2002, Cliff released his new album, Fantastic Plastic People in Europe, after first providing free downloads using Delacove's People Music Media p2p software. This album featured collaborations with Joe Strummer, Annie Lennox, and Sting as well as new songs that were very reminiscent of Cliff's original hits. In 2004 Cliff completely reworked the songs, dropping the traditional reggae in favor of an electronica sound, for inclusion in Black Magic.
Cliff has also covered the famous African song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
His recording of 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' was used as a campaign anthem by the Sandinista National Liberation Front in the 1990 election in Nicaragua (they lost). It was also adopted by the British Conservative Party during their annual conference in October, 2007. It is unclear whether Mr Cliff endorsed either party. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 15,2010.
Satan's Kingdom
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leading the youths astray as I say, I say.
The leaders of today leading the youths astray, astray, astray.
Want it, want it,
Can get it.
Got it, got it,
Want more.
Want it, want it,
Got it, got it,
Want more.
Well, there's enough in the world, for everyone's need.
But not enough in the world, for everyone's greed.
So have no fear - Conquering Lion is here.
To give everyone, their equal share.
Because, justice has come for all,
Satan and his kingdom, fall, fall, fall.
Want it, want it,
Can get it.
Got it, got it,
Want more.
Want it, want it,
Can get it.
Got it, got it,
Want more.
Well, who wants it all,
Will surely lose it all.
And wishful waste, oh,
Brings woeful want.
So now the fire gets hot,
Say, what bam bam.
So have no fear,
The Lion of Judah is here!
Say justice has come for all,
Satan and his queendom, fall, fall, fall.
Want it, want it,
Can get it.
Got it, got it,
Want more. (what a bam bam)
Want it, want it,
Can get it.
Got it, got it,
Want more. (what a bam bam)
The lyrics to Jimmy Cliff's "Satan's Kingdom" express his frustration with modern leaders leading the youth astray. He sings of the desire for more and how greed can lead to the downfall of individuals. He reminds listeners that there is enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed. The chorus includes the repetition of "want it, want it, can get it, got it, got it, want more" to emphasize the insatiable nature of greed.
Cliff also sings about the importance of justice for all and how the power of the Lion of Judah will conquer Satan's kingdom. He warns that those who seek to have it all will ultimately lose it all, and that the excessive desire for more will bring about a sense of "woeful want." The use of the phrase "what a bam bam" in the final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the intensity of the situation and the need for action.
The song reflects Cliff's strong beliefs about the importance of justice, equality, and the dangers of greed. It encourages listeners to pause and consider their own desires and the consequences of pursuing them relentlessly. The use of the Lion of Judah as a symbol of hope and justice is consistent with Rastafarian beliefs and is a recurring theme in Cliff's music.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea! The leaders of today,
Today's leaders are misleading the youths.
Leading the youths astray as I say, I say.
The leaders are responsible for leading the youths in the wrong direction.
The leaders of today leading the youths astray, astray, astray.
The leaders of today are responsible for leading the youths astray multiple times.
Want it, want it,
People always want more.
Can get it.
It's possible to get whatever is wanted.
Got it, got it,
People who already have what they want still want more.
Want more.
There's never enough of what people want.
Well, there's enough in the world, for everyone's need.
The world has enough to cover everyone's basic needs.
But not enough in the world, for everyone's greed.
The world doesn't have enough to satisfy everyone's excessive greed.
So have no fear - Conquering Lion is here.
There's no need to worry as a powerful protector is around.
To give everyone, their equal share.
Everyone deserves an equal portion of what the world provides.
Because, justice has come for all,
Everyone will be treated fairly and justly.
Satan and his kingdom, fall, fall, fall.
The evil forces in the world will be defeated.
Well, who wants it all,
Those who want everything in the world.
Will surely lose it all.
They're likely to end up with nothing at all.
And wishful waste, oh,
Using things wastefully without a second thought.
Brings woeful want.
This leads to a feeling of desperate need.
So now the fire gets hot,
The situation is getting intense.
Say, what bam bam.
It's a Jamaican expression used to indicate surprise or shock.
So have no fear,
There's no need to be afraid.
The Lion of Judah is here!
Another reference to a powerful protector.
Say justice has come for all,
Fairness and justice will be achieved for everyone.
Satan and his queendom, fall, fall, fall.
All evil forces and powers will be defeated.
Want it, want it,
People always want more.
Can get it.
It's possible to get whatever is wanted.
Got it, got it,
People who already have what they want still want more.
Want more. (what a bam bam)
No matter how much people have, they still want more. The situation can be surprising.
Want it, want it,
People always want more.
Can get it.
It's possible to get whatever is wanted.
Got it, got it,
People who already have what they want still want more.
Want more. (what a bam bam)
No matter how much people have, they still want more. The situation can be surprising.
Contributed by Jeremiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Chorus
One more, one more, one more, one more
Verse
I got one more song I must sing
Ting-aline, freedom ring
I got one more song I must sing
A simple song, so sing along
Repeat chorus
I got one more story to tell
Mystery, my story
I got one more story to tell
True story, my glory
Repeat chorus
I got one more arrow in my bow
As I let it go, just watch my flow
I got one more arrow in my bow
To the target, and it's a hit
Repeat chorus
Bridge
Hey baby don't you go away
I want you to listen
What I have to say
It's not over, till it's over
I'm a natural lover
Hey mister, get out of my way
This is not no time to play
Hey mister get out of my way
I got to live for another day, All we got
Chorus
One more(life to live)
One more(love to give)
One more(cliff to climb)
One more(it's my time)
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I can't run, till the deal is done
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I won't run, till the deal is done
Repeat chorus
I got one more shot at the prize
So don't be surprised, open your eyes
I got one more shot at the goal
Straight from my soul
And I'm in control
Repeat chorus till fade
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Rip off man
Edwin Nyirenda
on Brother
Brother - Jimmy cliff
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Do you believe what your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – brother
Oh brother
Joseph and his brothers – left Canaan
They saw the little brother – in Egypt
They both had the same cause and the same purpose
They come about the same hurt that they got back the most
Do you understand me – my brother
Oh brother
Brother (X4)
Let us help the fallen – sister
She will love to call you – mister
Do you see the need for unity
To bring about respect and dignity
Don’t you understand me – my brother
Brother
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Is it the things that your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – my brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother now hey hey yeah oh yeah hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
Are you my brother now hey hey hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
You don’t wanna understand me now oh brother
Oh brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother